The comic and the article prompted me to turn to YouTube for videos about developing huge LEGO towers. The video explains the mathematics that was utilized by researchers at The Open University to figure how high a LEGO tower would get before the blocks collapsed under their own weight. Prior to showing students the article or the video discussed above, I d have them make guesses as to the answer then write out lists of the variables that they can think of that would influence how tall the tower might get. After they watch the video I d have a little classroom contest to see who can build the highest tower with the LEGOs available in my classroom.

While getting caught up on my reading in Feedly this early morning I came across a.
new brand-new from The Oatmeal. The comic is based on a 2012 BBC post entitled.
How Tall Can a LEGO Tower Get? The comic and the short article triggered me to rely on YouTube for videos about developing huge LEGO towers. YouTube did not dissatisfy me in my search for videos that explain the mathematics and physics highlighted in the BBCs post and The Oatmeals comic..

The video describes the math that was utilized by researchers at The Open University to figure how high a LEGO tower would get prior to the blocks collapsed under their own weight. Of course, the mathematical response presumes that the tower would not fall over before reaching its optimal height.

Applications for Education.
Prior to revealing trainees the article or the video mentioned above, I d have them make guesses as to the response then write out lists of the variables that they can believe of that would affect how tall the tower could get. After they see the video I d have a little class contest to see who can develop the tallest tower with the LEGOs readily available in my class.

This post initially appeared on FreeTech4Teachers.com. It has been used without approval if you see it elsewhere. Sites that steal my (Richard Byrnes) work include CloudComputin and WayBetterSite. Featured image recorded by Richard Byrne.